BIOE-498/598 Preclinical Molecular Imaging

Course focus:
The goal of this course is to provide an educational foundation for bioengineering students in preclinical molecular imaging and impart a vision of future developments in the field.

Synopsis:
This course will provide a solid educational foundation in the principles and practice of preclinical molecular imaging such that students can build on their own prior education, training, and experiences to drive the field in new directions and advance their professional goals. The course will focus on key areas of knowledge such as: (1) imaging physics and instrumentation, (2) molecular probes and contrast agents, (3) cell and molecular biology, (4) biologic model systems, (5) pharmacology, and (6) translation to the clinical imaging of disease. Key areas will be integrated through four themes: basics (fundamental sciences critical to molecular imaging), methodology (use of basic sciences to explore methods to highlight biologic analyses), utility (usefulness of the methods), and translation (moving the preclinical methods from bench-top to the bedside). Students will learn about practical aspects of preclinical molecular imaging including: technology review with the focus on nuclear imaging techniques (PET, SPECT) and hybrid multimodal systems, development and evaluation of molecular probes, use of imaging protocols, image processing and analysis, imaging applications in oncology, neuroimaging and cardiovascular system, ethical aspects of preclinical imaging, and domestic and international regulatory issues and polices.